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Sentinels and Guides;

Sentinels and Guides Shipping Meme
A Sentinel!AU Meme

There are special people in the world: Sentinels--whose five senses are incredibly enhanced, sometimes to the point of overwhelming and who can easily lose themselves in fugue states--and Guides, the empaths with the ability to ground a Sentinel and focus them. Meant to be the protectors of the Guides, for every Sentinel there exists a guide that is their perfect match. In some universes, when matches are made, a Sentinel and Guide form a soulbond to fill the feeling of emptiness.

How easy was it for you to find yours? How are Sentinels and Guides treated in your universe? Or maybe you're one of the normal, unremarkable people. Do you fear Sentinels and Guides? Despise them?

Rules
1) Post with your character/canon in the subject header.
2a) Choose whether your character is a Sentinel or a Guide
or
2b) If you don't know or don't care, just leave it blank!
3) Information about Sentinels and Guides can be found here and here. Information on 'The Sentinel' which this meme comes from can be found here.

4) All the tagging! Have fun 8D

Prompts
oo1. The Meeting:
How did you meet? Was it at an event organized specifically for finding your other half? By accident? Did you follow a mystical calling to them? Some other way?

oo2. The Bonding:
Do Sentinels and Guides in your universe soulbond? How does it go down? Is there a ceremony or do you just retreat to the bedroom?

oo3. Rejection:
Sometimes Sentinels or Guides propose a match but it's just not perfect. You don't feel the pull or maybe you think there is someone better or maybe you're already claimed. Maybe you were claimed and someone better came along?

oo4. Protection:
Sentinels are meant to protect Guides, any Guides, but it's even worse when they feel their Guide is in danger. They go feral; blind to anything but stopping and killing whoever threatened their Guide or the bond. Maybe someone attacked your Guide or you haven't bonded yet and you feel threatened or maybe you're the one doing the threatening. Whatever the reason, Sentinels in a feral state are dangerous and only their Guides can stop them.

oo5. Lost:
Sentinels often lose themselves in their senses. Either you're a Sentinel who has lost themselves or a Guide that has stumbled on one or a friend trying to draw them out. Unbonded Sentinels will find it hard to escape without a Guide. Or maybe you're bonded already which means you just need yours to come home.

006. Persecution:
Sometimes normal people or the government fear the power of Guides and Sentinels. Guides are empaths, feeling the emotions and sometimes passing thoughts of others and it can make people feel violated. Sentinels often have enhanced strength, which can make them dangerous. So they scorn them, hurt them or in the case of governments, regulate them.

oo7. Death:
Unbonded Sentinels and Guides eventually lose themselves to the empty cavern inside them. Torn apart from the inside by the feeling of something missing. Breaking the soulbond of a Sentinel and Guide is agonizing and horrifying, leading quickly to death for the remaining partner.

oo8. Old-School:
Guides used to be treated on the same level as slaves. Unable to work unless their Sentinel said. Not allowed out on their own. They used to wear collars and couldn't own land or inherit money. Maybe the old ways haven't completely fallen out of style.

oo9. Unbonded:
Nothing is worse than being an unbonded Guide or Sentinel. Always looking for your other half to fill that empty feeling but you probably have friends that aren't your match or who are trying to set you up with someone. Maybe you're skeptical about the whole love at first sight thing and haven't been looking.

o10. Wildcard: Some mish-mash of the above or anything else you can come up with!

Image from weheartit / original meme by

imadeamistake

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John's already fairly consumed by the scent and feel of the other man, but the additional release of pheromones leaves him ever more wanting. His world has narrowed down to the room, to the bed, to just Gladio moving against him. The Guide groans as his Sentinel just teases at the mark. He should probably be a bit less wanton, but with Gladio forcing the release of his pheromones, John responds to them fully as the other man's Guide.

His nails dig into the skin on Gladio's shoulder as John speeds up his thrusts, eyes closed and panting. He can taste The Sentinel with every breath, and it's almost maddening with how intoxicating it is. "Need you." Everything starts to tense, "Please let me." Come, he means. He's not even entirely sure why he's asking permission. It's going to happen in very short order here, whether Gladio agrees or not.

...Fuck, is John begging for it? Asking permission? Even if his body can't fully respond to that, the wave of arousal that comes on the heels of that realization is undoubtedly felt by John as well. The grip on his arse certainly has to be as it squeezes harder.

He moves his mouth to John's ear, licking his own lips that suddenly feel dry before he grins. "Come for me, my Guide," he whispers, then shifts his mouth and does just as John originally asked for.

There's a surge through both of them as Gladio bites down roughly on the Bond mark, his whole body shuddering as it feels like an echo of something far bigger than himself.

The bite is like a trigger and sparks through him, filling up some empty space the Guide hadn't even realized was there until Gladio had first bitten him. Well, he'd realized it was there, but he hadn't realized how cavernous it was until Gladio's scent and presence were pushed inside, fitting perfectly into the space.

John all but screams, forgetting his volume once more as he comes hard against Gladio. Nails scrabble against skin, and he continues to rut for a few more seconds, release slick and hot between his body and Gladio's. Eventually, he relaxes, though, sliding more fully to Gladio's side and just going boneless beside him. Across the Bond is contentment once more, a quieter, calmer affection as the Guide nuzzles against his Sentinel still.

"'S good. You're good."

Edited (there... finally made an icon just for you) 2017-05-08 02:04 (UTC)

Elsewhere in the suite, three heads come up and turn in the vague direction of the bedroom. One adjusts his glasses knowingly and sighs before returning his attention, as much as he could, to the paperwork in front of him. One blinks, then slowly blushes pink as he realizes what he heard. One also blinks, then rolls his eyes and drags down the second into a kiss.

Gladio, though, gets a first class view of that whole moment and damn. John is never allowed to mention being old for any reason because no 'old' man can move that well. Instead, he's lazily grinning, stroking his fingers over John's back and arse, enjoying that feeling that comes across the Bond, warm and content. "...you're good."

He noses gently against the Bond mark to ease any sting of his bite, then lets himself relax for a while. A while is all they get, though, because some time later (roughly 20 minutes), there's a knock at the door. There's a 'yo' through the door that Gladio immediately knows is Noct.

"Yeah?" Without getting up.

"Iggy's almost got dinner ready if you two are coming. ...And I mean to dinner."

Shit. Gladio couldn't help but laugh a little, snag a pillow, and wham it into the door. "We'll be there, yeah, yeah." John will hear the muttered 'brat'.

John lets the other man pet and soothe him, enjoying it until the attention to his neck becomes a little too much, and he pulls Gladio into a good long snog with no real purpose except to enjoy the intimacy. He feel loose, at ease with everything in the sanctity of their room. That changes at the rap on the door. While Gladio takes it in good humor, John freezes feels more than a little embarrassment wash through him at Noct's interruption and sniping. A part of him wants to bury his face in Gladio's neck and not let them leave the room again. Ever. But the more pragmatic part says he's going to have to deal with the rest of the lads soon, knowing that they know... things. Ignis had certainly been on the nose about Gladio and John carrying on. That shout had likely alerted Noctis and Prompto.

It's only a few seconds before John's pulling off, sitting back on his heels. He places a finger to Gladio's lips to stop him saying anything or rising. "Stay here. I'll get something to clean you up." So much for that lovely shower they'd taken.

The moves off the bed and into the bathroom, finding one of the washcloths from earlier. He gives himself a quick wipedown, then a slightly more thorough one on second thought. Ignis might not be able to smell anything, but Noct and Prompto are going to when John comes out of this room reeking of Gladio's scent. Not that there's a problem that they know, but John feels like he should maintain some semblance of decency by letting some of his own scent shine through.

"So, you, uh... you always have dinner together?" John has finished up and rinses out the washcloth before bringing it out to wipe down Gladio, starting with his side and hip.

Gladio does lay there, letting his Guide clean him up, but he can not only hear the uncertainty in John's voice but he can smell it faintly and feel it strongly. He lays there stretched out, legs spread slightly, unashamed and content where he is, but he speaks up as John asks. "Yeah, pretty much always. Noct's still my charge, but... it's more than that. ...Friends, brothers... whatever you wanna call it."

He shifts to let John get to enough of him, then lifts a brow in his direction. "There's not a lot of secrecy between us. We do our best with privacy, but... I've traveled with these guys for a long time now. With Noct and Iggy since we were all kids, Prom for the last few years. No point in being embarrassed around them because they're already going to have fun with it, so you might as well give as good as you get. ...Prompto embarrasses pretty damn easily still and Noct gets the best face if you can manage to shock him. Ignis hides everything but if you watch, you'll spot it, but be careful because he's the most lethal in return."

John pulls off the used condom from Gladio's cock and tosses it in a bin near the bed before wiping the other man down there. He's gentle, but business-like, just trying to get Gladio cleaned up so they can get dressed again. The Guide does listen as the Sentinel talks, pulling a bit of a face.

"Right. I'll... try to get used to it." He offers Gladio an apologetic smile. "Give us at least a few days?" Even in the Army, it had taken him a little while to get that comfortable with the other men in his unit. "I will do my best, though. Fake it until you make it, yeah? Up you get. You're done." John swats Gladio's backside with the wet washcloth before tossing it back into the bathroom and getting off the bed to go and put his clothes on again.

He dresses quickly, wanting to get out there sooner rather than later to cut down on the potential chatter after Noct's invitation to dinner. Really, he's expecting the most commentary for the young prince. Although, Ignis had proved himself to be surprisingly wicked.

"Just making sure you're aware of it." And that isn't all of it, but... once step at a time. Gladio pulls himself up, laughing when John gets his arse with the washcloth. "Take all the time you need. They might tease us about it, but... let me know if it gets too much and I'll tell 'em to back off." He stretches up, feeling loose and comfortable, before he goes to get himself dressed.

Into the leather pants, but since they're not immediately leaving the suite, he doesn't even bother with a shirt. Instead, he proudly bears any marks John left on him. "Besides, Iggy's cooking is worthy any amount of teasing. Better than any restaurant." At least as far as he's concerned it is. John will have to decide on his own.

He'll lead the way out of the room, back out into the main area of the suite. There's the smell of something good ready for dinner, and Prompto's setting the last of the table (and discovering he managed to grab five plates but only four sets of silverware). Noct's trying, clearly, to steal something out of the wide pan waiting to be put out for all of them and hissing when his hand gets whacked.

John dresses fully, doing up the collar of his button-down self-consciously. There's really no hiding the Bond mark just now, though, not with the way Gladio's been biting at it on-request the last while. The doctor also takes half a moment to comb his hair into something resembling Not Recently Sexed Up before heading out of the room. There's a part of him that enjoys Gladio being more relaxed about everything and wearing his marks with pride. John mentally assures himself that he'll get there. Maybe once he's proved himself to Noctis and the others in battle. That feels like a fair point to feel comfortable around them.

Still, the Guide is determined to appear to be at ease. He puts on an easy smile and matches Gladio's pace into the dining area, rather than trailing him, looking bashful. "Smells good. D'you need any help with serving or washing up, Ignis?" Just going to continue placing Noct as if he's not the most important person in the room. John exudes a calm he only half-feels; although, that should only be apparent to Gladio through the Bond.

Ignis raises a brow at the offer for assistance. "I'll let the dishes soak while we eat, but you're welcome to assist after. Please, do sit down." Noct's hand gets another light slap and a flick of Ignis' gaze in his direction. "Everyone. We'll be enjoying a fusion dish this evening, grilled lemon-pepper fish and chips."

John huffs in amusement as he takes a seat at the table and smiles at Prompto struggling with the silverware. "Sounds brilliant, mate, but you'll want to keep that recipe to yourself down at the pubs. You'd probably get popped by some Cockney purist for 'ruining' perfectly decent fish and chips that way."

"Anything Iggy makes is seriously good! ...Are the British really that weird about their food?" Prompto asks, curious as anything, though when he looks to John there's a bit of a blush to his cheeks before he looks down to the place he's setting.

Noct's just pleased there's no vegetables and he settles himself in, subtly rubbing his whapped hand, watching John from the corner of his eye. "Are you that kind of purist?" he asks, his tone almost uncaring but his gaze suggests anything but. Gladio, sitting down across from him, gives Noct a look because he knows that tone, but he can't defend John from everything.

Besides, his mate can handle himself.

John catches the look from Prompto and can't entirely stop a matching blush creeping across his own cheeks. Bloody hell, he doesn't need this. Focus on the questions. The doctor clears his throat and consciously tries to exude confidence as he shrugs. "Only some people are that weird. We've stolen enough from other cultures, you'd think we'd be less defensive. But the Irish have their Guinness, the Scots have their haggis, and we've got our fish and chips down south.

"Think it's all rubbish, really. Only thing I might kick for is beans on toast. Some people put sardines on that. Sacrilege." His tone is mock-serious as he smirks at Noctis, meeting his eye.

"I was about to say, isn't curry takeaway huge here?" Prompto laughs, despite his blush, and goes back over to help Ignis get things to to the table.

"You've eaten enough of it that Iggy's trying to learn how to make it," Gladio offers over, making Prompto turn and point at him.

"Are you complaining?"

"Nope. Love the stuff."

"Then I think my takeaway fetish has turned into a positive!" Prompto sticks out his tongue towards Gladio- but it's Noct who adds dryly 'better than any other fetish you've got' from the peanut gallery, making Prompto's eyes go wide and his whole face turn crimson. "NOCT."

John's brows rise, and he flicks a glance over at Gladio. The man really wasn't kidding when he said the lads like to rib each other. Apparently about everything. Probably the safest thing to do is keep his own mouth shut and just observe for now, but John's rarely the sort to take the safest option. He doesn't plunge headfirst into the deep end of the pool, though.

To spare poor Prompto further embarrassment, John tries to shift the topic. "Lively around here at dinner time, then. Reckon it makes up for the stiff business you've got on for the rest of the day? What business is your company here for, by the by? Some sort of acquisition?"

The dullest of the dull to all his fellow Guide some breathing room. John's expression shifts to one of polite interest, something carefully crafted through the years to look fully engaged without actually being engaged. Business isn't John's strong suit. The Army might have had its own politics to deal with, but they'd been ones he'd preferred over corporate cutthroat sorts of things.

Gladio just shrugs. He's used to it. Look, Ignis isn't even putting a stop to it. He tends to break things up physically and Ignis can put anything to rest with a look (...okay about half the time.)

Noct raises a brow at that, then leans forward on his forearms, waiting for dinner. He guesses John does need to know about this sort of thing if he's going to be around, even if he's... not so keen on that, so far. Guy seems all right, but there's a big difference between an okay person and someone he wants around him all the time.

Or someone taking Gladio away from them.

"Hope I don't need to explain this gets kept between us and no one else." Noct's gaze is briefly hard, not quite threatening but something close. Hated dealing with the media. "Do you know Lunafreya?"

"Lady Lunafreya," Prompto says, giving his Sentinel a bit of a look. Seriously, be polite!

"Right." Looking to John calmly.

Gladio rolls his eyes. "Noct and Lady Lunafreya are childhood friends."

Are they now? "I know Lady Lunafreya. Yes, of course." He glances at the others. "She's the reason I have a couple of magic flasks in my bag." That probably requires more explanation, but maybe not? John's not entirely sure. For the sake of Prompto who might not be in the loop, he continues.

"Lady Lunafreya's magic is what our healers use in the Army. I met her once when I was commissioned as an officer. Her family provided... virtually all of the potions we used, as well." He frowns in confusion, looking from Gladio to Noct. "Is this just a personal trip, then? Not business?" He'd been under the impression there was more to it than a social visit with an old friend.

"...is that how it works, here?" Prompto looks kind of confused as he looks to John, the blush gone as he puts a plate on the table. "I thought Noct and his dad were the only people who could do that."

Noct throws a look at his Guide, but well, that's out of the bag. "...that's why we're here. We're trying to figure out some stuff when it comes to the regulation and distribution of potions-" He pauses, looking to Ignis. Just how much is he allowed to say?

They're there because of somehow potions are being made from another source... and something's happening to the people that get them.

When Ignis steps over, he's bearing two large serving platters, one with the fish, and one with the chips. He sets them down, and then straightens up, putting a hand to his chin thoughtfully. "Given his connection both to the potion trade here and to Gladio, it may behoove us to bring John into the conversation. Secrets are difficult to keep." There's a piercing glance cast at John that he endures as best he can. He's not going to be intimidated by this lot... except when Ignis implies he's having wild sex with Gladio. Maybe then. "Although there are means to do so, when necessary."

John licks his lips. "I'm happy to offer any and all knowledge I have on the matter. I was involved in some of the requisition requests for my unit. Not organizing them, but at least reviewing shipments of medical supplies, including potions." To Prompto, he adds: "Lady Lunafreya's family bestows a blessing on our healers, and we're given some small measure of her abilities. Nothing like the whole of it. That blessing ended with my discharge a few months ago, though."

Prompto happily shifts himself into a seat, looking over the meal and taking a deep breath. "That smells so good," he groans, but he's leaning on his forearms and looking back and forth between Noct and John curiously, letting others take the first grab for the meal right now.

Noct nods, but his tone remains neutral as ever when he continues. "Someone's been putting fake potions out there. They'll heal you, but you'll pay the price later. It's like..." he struggles to find the right word, but Gladio takes it up.

"It's like something out of a zombie movie. They eventually start acting differently, get this black substance around their mouths. It started over in the States first, but now... it's cropping up here as well. Noct and Lady Lunafreya are meeting to see what can be done about it, considering the two of them and Regis should be the only three people capable of it at all."

Gladio will get what may well be a disturbing burst of interest from John across their Bond. It's tempered by some horror, which might help even things out. Fascinated horror. "Bloody hell..." It's followed up by steely resolve as John reaches for the spatula to serve Gladio first without really thinking about it. Unless someone stops him, he'll dole out portions to Prompto, Ignis, and Noctis, before finally serving himself last and sitting back down. He can't comfortably reach the chips to serve them out.

"Indeed," Ignis replies, glancing over at Gladio and offering him a mildly amused smirk.

"How are they keeping this quiet?" John asks. "That's not something... I know there's a black market for potions, but I'd think something like that would get out."

Edited 2017-05-10 02:29 (UTC)

Gladio ends up giving John a bit of a look, but shrugs at the whole being served first thing. Ignis still ends up serving Noct first, usually, and it's just sort of commonplace with them. No big deal though. The horror, however, he can understand. He's seen some of the effects second hand through pictures and it's a nightmare.

Prompto ends up helping out with the fries, with his own Sentinel first, then going around the circle back to himself. "It's super creepy," he murmurs, shivering visibly.

"Because the only people who've died from it so far have been people buying off the black market," Noct points out, stealing the vinegar from the center of the table. Prompto goes for the ketchup. "Seven in the states, one here."

John's already claimed not to be a purist, so he doesn't chastise Prompto for being an American and using ketchup instead of vinegar like Noct. Let the man eat his chips as he liked. The food smells amazing, but John's more focused on the conversation than actually eating. "Have you had a chance to examine the bodies? Has anyone received some sort of treatment?"

Ignis clears his throat, and John blinks, looking over at him. There's quiet disapproval there.

"Mm... After dinner. Sorry." The doctor drops his attention down to his food. But his mind is thrumming now, wondering what exactly is happening, who's making the potions, what they can do to stop them. Because clearly the goal is to track down the people doing this. Is it going to be Noctis and his lot personally? The chance to help with this is undeniably exciting. And while it's grim and horrible talk, John's an Army Doctor. He's seen hellish things over in Afghanistan, and while his nightmares are filled with them, there's a part of him that longs to be back there, to be living on the edge, every moment brushing by and escaping death.

It's also easier to forget that he doesn't belong here when they're in the thick of something like that discussion. But polite discussion is more appropriate for dinner. Right. He takes a bite of the fish, and it just about melts in his mouth with flavor.

John looks over at Ignis again, this time looking a little shocked. "I think this is literally the best grilled fish I've ever had."

The other man's stoic mien shifts slightly, and he has a sense that there's approval there. "Thank you, John. Noct, why don't you tell us what game you and Prompto were playing?" To prompt the conversation in another direction. Dinner, and then business.

Look, they're American! Ketchup goes on fries, man! Prompto would have wrinkled his nose at the vinegar, anyway. He's still working on calling them 'chips', while Noct digs the vinegar taste on them. The others dig into their food eagerly, but it's obvious they're used to Ignis' cooking because only Prompto lets out a quiet groan of pleasure at the flavor, but otherwise doesn't say anything directly.

Through their Bond, John will feel Gladio's approval as well. Anyone who can make Ignis happy, and he knows well Ignis' subtle emotions to be able to tell, only makes him happier.

While Noct is still usually brief in what he says, it's clear that around Prompto, the prince says more. Prompto happily fills out the space between Noct's explanations, and yet somehow he's actually the first to finish. When had he even been getting food into his mouth? Gladio contributes a little, but it's often throwing a rope towards Ignis to drag his friend into the conversation.

Prompto's clearly curious about John, and he asks a few questions - about being a doctor, about being in the army, how he and Gladio met - and while Noct pretends not to be, he's just as clearly listening keenly to every response. Gladio watches, only chiming in on the last thing, but mostly seeing how John takes to all of this.

John rolls with the conversation as best he can, being the odd man out in a company that's well-used to the ebb and flow of each other. He's not sure he's talked this much in one sitting since he'd been discharged. He and Ella had tried to discuss things, but there had always been that air of judgement hanging over her with her title--therapist.

As Prompto is the most talkative, John finds himself focusing on the other Guide. The general questions about his service and career as a doctor are answered with a smile. He's happy to regale the younger men with med school and war stories, the funny ones. They're mostly ones where he's only a side player in the act or observer, as well. It's a theme. When questions turn to anything more personal, John gently deflects, redirects with questions about the other person. Or he sidesteps the answer with a joke. While it seems like he's replying to everything easily and openly, anyone paying attention might be able to note that John's gaining more information than he's actually giving out.

Gladio will be able to sense some wariness across the Bond whenever John's purposefully deflecting. There's no malicious intent; John's not gathering information or putting the others off to a purpose, it's just how he's managed to survive as an unattached Guide up until this point. Be genial, but blend in, be pleasant, but unmemorable, don't give people a reason to think you particularly stand out.

"Is everyone done, then?" John asks when he's finished up telling the brief story of his and Gladio's encounter at the Clinic. "I can start clearing the table."

Gladio watches John throughout, and while John clearly isn't trying to deceive the others, he can feel that something just under the surface, something that leaves him faintly on edge. Yet, even as it does, he understands it. John, not yet, isn't one of them, and he's in a completely new situation. While Gladio is the kind to wade in and make friends, he can understand if his Guide isn't so keen on opening up that quickly.

Still, he tries to gently nudge John through the Bond, seeing if maybe he can get the other to loosen up. A sort of mental shoulder-to-shoulder touch. Relax. See, when he's not too focused, he can work through the Bond.

"Oh man, someone else who will help clean up!" Prompto chirps, clearly ribbing his Sentinel though who rolls his eyes with a tiny smile playing on his lips. Prompto sits back and looks very content, rocking back in his chair, which Gladio teasingly knocks the front legs to send Prompto backwards, but he catches the chair before Prompto can get more than a few inches. Doesn't mean he doesn't yelp though.

"And that's why you don't rock your chair."

The little nudge through the Bond does produce a reaction, though, it may not be the one Gladio was aiming for. The Guide flicks his gaze over for a long moment, and then returns to things as they were. He can appreciate the attempt for what it is, but he's not going to encourage the Sentinel working over his mood for the moment. He's too much on edge in the unfamiliar situation to just relax. Even without immediate danger, there are others lurking at the edges of the room and the conversation. He still hasn't impressed Noct, and while he's being brought in on some details, the doctor is still wary of being sent away for coming off strange or somehow broken.

At the antics with Gladio and Prompto, though, John does snort. He rises from his own chair and begins gathering dishes. "I can teach you a trick to get back at their lot in a bit here, Prompto. Worked like a charm for me in the Army." He offers the other Guide a wink. Talking to Prompto one-on-one has been on his list of things to do since his discussion earlier with Gladio. This provides a nice excuse.

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